Amecan League Minnesota at DETROIT, Inc. Texas 4, SEATTLE 3 TORONTO 11, Tama Bay 1 Baltimore at NEW YORK, Inc. Kansas City at CLEVELAND, post. Chicago 4, BOSTON 0 Anaheim 12, OAKLAND 1 National League SAN FRANCISCO 5, Houston 2 COLORADO 6 San Diego 4 Milwaukee 9, MONTREAL 4 Atlanta at PHILADELPHIA, post. Florida at NEW YORK. Inc. 9Stcaof tracing 6M' prospects Offensive tackle Jon Jansen and tight end Jerame Tuman have high prospects going into tomorrow's NFL Draft. Wide receiver Tai Streets also had high prospects, but reports of a torn Achilles' tendon have dampened them. Friday April 16, 199911 The rock Alcaraz sparks Blue with solid consistency BY GEOFF GAGNON DAILY SPORTS WRITER rown specks of cookie-crumb spotted the black of his coat ashe spoke. Out of breath, and nearly out of cookies, Jason Alcaraz emerged from the Michigan clubhouse at Ray Fisher Stadium with the kind of smile you might expect from somebody who had known success before. After all, it was his hitting that day that helped spark the Wolverines to their sixth win in seven games as they opened home play against Central Michigan last month. But Alcaraz didn't beam with pride or radiate with some sense of inner confidence that day. He adjusted his sagging bookbag on his shoulder and filled his mouth. He had been there before. And between swallowing what remained of a fistful of Keebler's finest, the senior right fielder uttered something that resembled an apology for being in such a hurry. And like success, you could tell that the feeling wasn't foreign to him. Jason Alcaraz always seems to be in a hurry, and not surprisingly, he seems to get to where he wants to go. At least that what his play indicates - and that's what he showed that day earlier this spring. The outfielder legged out a pair of triples, going two for five from the plate while driving in three runs. But it didn't come easily. "I didn't think I was going to make it safely to third on the second one," Alcaraz said later. "I was just trying to go as fast as I could. I'm not the fastest guy in the world, but luckily, I beat out the throw." While he admits he's not the speediest member of Michigan's lineup, Alcaraz can't deny that for the last four seasons he's been perhaps the most consistent. With a subtle slice of blue-collar workmanship and a penchant for professionalism, Alcaraz has boldly staked a claim as a hard worker, while qui- etly positioning himself in the Wolverine record books. Currently sixth on the Michigan all-time RBI and all-time doubles list, the two-time all-Big Ten selection is fast approaching the fourth spot on DANA LINNANE/Daily The Michigan softball team looks to stay atop the Big Ten this weekend when they face second-place Northwestern in a three-game series. Softball hopes to tame Cats for to confieence so DANA UNNANE/Daily After being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1996, Jason Alcaraz has gone on to define himself as one of Michigan's most valuable hitters of all time. The senior hopes to lead his squad back to the top of the Big Ten. Stephanie Offen y Sports Writer The Michigan softball team is fac- ing an unfamiliar situation. Wednesday the Wolverines (37-5- 1) suffered their first loss in 34 games when they were defeated by Central Michigan 7-4 in the first game of a doubleheader, Michigan rebounded to win the second matchup defeating the *ippewas 6-3. But now instead of building on a record-setting winning streak, the team is starting from scratch. To) "They have to --. . ---. learn to deal with Who: losses, which is Michigan vs. new to them" Northwestern Michigan coach Where: Carol Hutchins ers: said. Evanston *'They were dis- When: appointed, but it Doubleheader was important that row, 1 pm, SL we rebounded in 1 P.M. the second game. We want them to Notable: dwell on the win." Blue looks to s This weekend the atop Big Ten a Wolverines will go face Northwes Evanston for a 1ree-game series th Northwestern. This weekend could possibly push Michigan out of their familiar spot atop the Big Ten. The Wildcats are currently second in the conference with a 5-1 record. But Hutchins said it is too early in the race to focus on conference rank- ings. .i Instead, Hutchins would rather focus on the Wildcats' speed. "They steal everything in sight," tchins said. -"This could definitely pose prob- lems for us if they make base advances. We just have to keep them off of base." And if the Michigan defense con- tinues its strong run, that shouldn't be a problem. The Wolverines looked unstop- pable earlier this week against Penn *te. .Michigan only allowed two runs in the first game against the Nittany Lions, and shut them out in the second. to ui Si iter And with a few days to rest, Michigan's defense should not be suffering from the fatigue that plagued them in Wednesday's loss. Recently, the outstanding presence in the infield as well as at the plate can be attributed to two newcomers on the squad. Freshmen Kelsey Kollen and Stefanie Volpe have stepped up recently for the Wolverines and will be looked to do so again in this weekend's games for that No. 1 spot. "Kelsey is playing like a Y junior," Hutchins said. "I told her that we are going to need her spunk. Volpe will play behind the plate again because she has a better chance to defend against the steals. We need our young players and they are responding." imor- And while Michigan may iday, be leading the conference in hitting with 5.5 hits a game, the Wildcats are known for their timely hit- Y ting led by pitcher Brooke they Siebel. rn. Siebel is second in bat- ting on Northwestern's squad, and in only her sec- ond year on the team, has set a new RBI record, averaging a shade less than one a game. But along with the defense, Michigan's pitching has also been on fire lately. Sophomore Marie Barda is leading the trio of pitchers with 14-straight wins. Her power pitching led the team to both victories over Penn State. The Wolverines need to get back to familiar territory with three wins this weekend. With three wins this weekend, they will be able to keep the Wildcats from taking away the only spot Michigan has known all season, the one atop the Big Ten. Michigan's all-time hit list. Potent from the plate, Alcaraz has given the Wolverines a consistency they come to count on - in any situation. "He's got such a solid swing that I think you could put him in an icebox for six months," Zahn said. "Bring him out and put him in an elevator shaft and he'd still get a hit. He's just that type of guy." A QUICK START Highly touted and heavily recruited, Alcaraz emerged from high school much like he did from the tunnel of Fisher Stadium last month. Baseball goes indoors to try The New Mexico player of the year had been celebrated as an impressive college prospect. In his senior year he batted an unthinkable .621 en route to player of the year honors from Gatorade and Mizuno. Alcaraz, it seemed was already a seasoned vet- eran to success, accomplishing more with his prep career than most achieve in a lifetime ofath- letics. The Albuquerque native shined as bright as any young prospect in the desert Southwest - winning a pair of state titles at Eldorado High - but he was in a hurry for more. And after a fall See ALCARAZ, Page 13 to halt slie Wolverines travel to Minnesota to face conference-leading Golden Gophers By Dan Dingerson Daily Sports Writer The Michigan baseball team gets back into the swing of Big Ten com- petition this weekend when the team travels from 'The Fish' to 'The Land of 10,000 Lakes'. The Wolverines will To try to start winning . . . again after dropping four of six games in the Who: past week. Minnesota is Michiganv far from an easy oppo- Minnesota nent though. Where: The No. 24 Golden Minneapo Gophers haverplayed When:T like sharks recently, pm. oo tearing up the opposi- p.m., tom tion. Sunday, 1 Minnesota has won Notable nine games in a row to rebound heading into the series loss to Oa with Michigan. The Gophers share the Big Ten lead with Ohio State - a team that dominated Michigan at Ray Fisher Stadium this past week- end. After losing its first non-confer- ence game since coming home from an early-season west-coast swing, the team will need to improve to earn some conference wins. Midway through the Big Ten sea- son, the Wolverines find themselves at .500 with a 6-6 record. The team started by winning a series in Iowa and then splitting with Big Ten champion Illinois at home. Michigan looked like DAY vs. is Today, 3 orrow and p.m. e: 'M' Looks id after 12-4 kWand Wed. it could contend for the Big Ten title until dis- aster struck against the Buckeyes. "You never know in the Big Ten," Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. "One week, guys look like world-beaters, and the next they lose three out of four." The series against Minnesota marks the third straight series that the Wolverines have faced a Big Ten oppo- nent who began the season ranked ahead of them. For a team look- ing to repeat the glory of two sea- sons ago, wins against the top teams in the Big Ten are necessary. "We knew coming into the season that if we had thoughts of making the playoffs or winning the Big Ten we needed to win some of these games," Zahn said. "We definitely would like to win in Minnesota, and it would See GOPHERS, Page 13 DANA LINNANE/Daily if the Michigan baseball team continues its play of late, Bryan Besco and Michigan will have a tough time competing with Minnesota this weekend. We're Ex . The Michigan Daily Financ Department is firing for 1:'m11 /\A inter 7 QQQ _0000 ge MEM m m-m--ME- = = s eaa Versity.com, an Internet startup company, is launching ..- _-- - a -11--af ... ", ! I